The brilliant experts at CaFleureBon have a fascinating article on frankincense and myrrh which I thought was definitely worth sharing. (Alas, I have no clue how to re-blog it via their format, so I hope this will suffice.) The article details the history and uses for both prized ingredients, before providing a drawing to win 12 perfumes ranging from Amouage to Parfum D’Empire Wazamba, L’Artisan‘s Big Bad Wolf and Olivier Durbano‘s Black Tourmaline. Go to the article at CaFleurBon to enter.
As a side note, I should confess that I am someone who suffers from anxiety, so I was blown away to learn the beneficial neurological, cerebral aspects of frankincense. Did you know that
Burning frankincense releases aromatic components that affect areas of the brain known to be involved in emotions, and nerve circuits affected by depression and anxiety drugs. […]
[In addition] Frankincense and myrrh were commonly used throughout history as medicine to heal the body. Myrrh has anti-microbial effects and is used in a variety of infections, wounds and abrasions in addition to having preservative effects. It was part of the Elixir of Vitriol used along with aloes on old English sailing ships for seasickness. Both frankincense and myrrh contain substances to help with inflammation of the lungs to assist with chest infections. The Indian myrrh, known as guggulu, was used as a medicine to ease the symptoms of coughs and chest infections and as an aid in weight loss. It was also used to treat rotten teeth by the early Sumerians. Chinese healers incorporated it into remedies for bruises and infected sores, including those caused by leprosy. It was used in Kenya for dressing wounds and as a treatment for worms. English alchemists recommended frankincense to live a longer life.
Clearly, I need to buy some frankincense for reasons just beyond how fabulous it can be in some perfumes! (See my review of Chanel’s Coromandel for one iteration of it.)
I hope you find the article as interesting as I did. And if you win some of those amazing fragrances, let me know. 🙂
frankincense also works wonders on your skin and has been used on horses afflicted with skin cancer. One of my co-workers is on medication for anxiety and whenever I was around her she would sniff me and tell me that my smell was calming to her. I finally broke down and made her an essential oil blend..and yes, frankincense was in there!